China's top legislature Monday ruled out direct elections for the Hong Kong
chief executive in 2007 and legislators in 2008, citing immature conditions.

The voting result is
shown on a big screen. [Xinhua]

"Universal suffrage shall not apply to the election of the third-term chief
executive of the HKSAR in 2007, nor to the election of all members of the
fourth-term Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR in 2008," noted the
decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC).

However, the NPCSC favours modification of the existing electoral methods.

Specific methods for selecting the chief executive in 2007 and forming the
Legislative Council in 2008 could be "appropriately modified" in the principle
of "gradual and orderly progress" and in accordance with the Basic Law, it said.

The ruling was passed at Monday's meeting with 156 for, one abstention and no
negative votes.

The NPCSC made the decision after concluding a two-day meeting to discuss
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's report on the need for electoral changes in Hong
Kong.

The ruling "is in the overall and long-term interest of Hong Kong society and
conducive to the maintenance of its long-term prosperity and stability," said Wu
Bangguo, chairman of the NPCSC.

According to the decision, the half-by-half ratio for LegCo members from
functional constituencies and from geographical constituencies - returned
through direct elections - shall remain unchanged. The procedures for voting on
bills and motions in the Legislative Council shall also remain unchanged.

In explaining its decision, the NPCSC noted that the democratic process in
Hong Kong is not long. It has been no more than seven years since Hong Kong
residents have exercised the democratic right of participating in selection of
the chief executive.

Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the number of directly-elected
LegCo members has increased remarkably. Half the members will be directly
elected in the forthcoming LegCo election in September.

Yet the influence of the directly-elected LegCo members upon Hong Kong
society, especially upon the executive-led mechanism, is yet to be tested, the
decision said.

Moreover, various social circles in Hong Kong currently still have
considerable differences about changes for the electoral methods, and no broad
consensus has been reached yet.

Under such circumstances, conditions do not satisfy the general elections of
the chief executive and all LegCo members, the decision said.

But the top legislature stressed that it is the
consistent stance of the central authorities to develop democracy in Hong Kong
based on the principle of gradual and orderly progress, in the light of the
HKSAR's specific conditions, and in accordance with the Basic Law.

Deputy
Secretary-General of the National People's Congress Standing Committee
Qiao Xiaoyang (left) meets with people of Hong Kong and explain the
decision by China's top legislative body.
[newsphoto]

The final goal will be reached, as provided for by the Basic Law, that the
chief executive and the LegCo will be elected through universal suffrage, the
decision noted.

In a speech upon adoption of the ruling, Wu said that it demonstrates the
great importance and concern that the central authorities attach to Hong Kong's
constitutional development.

He stressed that the central authorities have been "very prudent" in handling
the issue, noting that "every step taken has rigorously accorded with provisions
and procedures stipulated by the law".

The People's Daily yesterday hailed the NPC decision in a commentary, saying
it would put an end to disputes surrounding constitutional development, help to
reach a consensus among Hong Kong society on electoral changes, and safeguard
the overall interests and well-being of Hong Kong people.

"The NPC decision is an important legal document with legal validity. It must
be implemented in real earnest," it said.